katekimball.bsky.social
@katekimball.bsky.social
Retired government/public interest lawyer who fled DC, eventually to life on a PacNW island. Yearn for less interesting times, but too cantankerous to sit back. Hannah Arendt is still right, damn it.
created August 7, 2023
807 followers 1,595 following 666 posts
view profile on Bluesky Posts
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Abebooks is now owned by Amazon, but they often offer free shipping. Alibris is not owned by Amazon and usually $5 for shipping. In other words, we live in an imperfect world. As a rural resident, online search for used books at more than one site is a dream.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
A little less pricey here: classicofficeproducts.com/planners-not...
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Now that is a great pairing I know well.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Oh, they have colors! Different size notebook. These are my favorites. Been using them for decades. (How did that happen?) www.rhodiapads.com/collections_...
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
I now have teapot lust, a vast improvement over fury at ending telehealth for Medicare at the end of the month. Aaahhhh…
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
I so want to agree with you! In the aftermath, Trump voters cited Harris’s innovative policies as reasons they voted for Trump. Sigh. One of our many afflictions is a preference for a muscular leader. It’s been true for decades. We want a tough white guy in the White House. And here we are.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Well, she was an also woman of color. A vigorous white man with same spiel likely would have won, sadly. I don’t think she was doing the neoliberal dance, but agree there was too little vision, too much status quo.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
I just saw a post with a photo of that, but can’t find it now. And not sure it was legit.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Thanks for this. Should have known.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
A previous reply pointed out the weird hands, so I was having some doubts. Thanks got clarifying. If I could edit my post, I would!
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Chilling. It appears the student was willing to destroy the relationship with the prof., that nothing of value would be damaged. Yet the student also displayed what looks like exaggerated obeisance to the authority of the President. Authoritarian culture abounds. All hail the strongmen.
Jared Yates Sexton (@jysexton.bsky.social) reposted reply parent
America's mythology is built on revolution and yet, somehow, people continue to dismiss democratic movements and uprisings around the globe as something *other people* do. This could all end. We could put a stop to this nightmare. You just have to believe we can.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Brrrr… that looks really cold, but I’ve been so grateful since!
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
👏
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Thank you for tour work. I remember the slog it took (seen from afar) to get it done.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
With a great last line. Well done!
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
My problem is the depressing truth contained in this:
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
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katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
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katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social)
Exactly this x 1000.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
These words are my reminder that this is a first draft. I let ‘em rip to get words in a page and then remove them, one by one. There are darlings I struggle to delete, but these are weevils I’m eager to eradicate, if only there weren’t so many of them.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Or maybe this is what’s really going on: bsky.app/profile/josh...
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
And they likely don’t pay for them. Here “voluntary” often means no insurance coverage, which makes vaccinations expensive.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
And better jokes. A good belly laugh is a potent rejection of *waves arm around vaguely* all this.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
If he was, which is nit credible, then he would know a lot about Epstein but claims to know nothing. These people don’t think through their lies, probably due to the bottomless incredulity of legacy media.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
That one distinction sucks up about 90% of the oxygen on some social media sites, all with no understanding of the difference. But it got me wondering, have you noticed how often people use umbrellas when it’s raining? Why don’t people in drought stricken areas open their umbrellas more?
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
I’d like it better if there was only one more person in this category you could profile, but please keep going. You’ve got the field to yourself it seems. (What autocorrect did to that last sentence boggles the mind, something about girls and Tiffany and frigates. Has AI poisoned autocorrect?)
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
On the bright side, look how long it took us to let things get this f*cked.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Delays are understandable. Not letting patients know about them is not okay, though.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
In which I bow to the second greatest British tradition: heated towel racks. The first, obviously, is a decent cup of black tea.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Also, “we” should make it harder for this regime to flush democracy down its gilded toilet.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Not even a breaking news alert, which I get every time a celebrity I’ve never heard of passes away.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
I’m pretty the main “mistake”she made was to be a Black woman who shared her fact-based opinions loudly enough that others could hear her. White men, it turns out, can spread lies with impunity, aided by a media coincidentally controlled by white men. Go figure.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Made me laugh, as I spent the morning fouling a novel scene over Mercy Otis Warren’s 1788 critique of the draft federal Constitution. Sigh.
Marc Elias (@marcelias.bsky.social) reposted
J.B. Pritzker is 100% right. Please listen to him, pay attention, and join us in speaking out against authoritarianism and to protect free and fair elections.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Exactly this. Thank you.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Thanks for focusing on what Pritzker is doing. Helpful insight from someone with your expertise.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Who is functionally making these decisions - Trump or Miller? These are 2nd/3rd tier appointees whom Trump doesn’t know. If he fires Rubio, Kennedy, Noem, Vought, or Miller, I’ll pay attention. Until then, this is habitual loyalist chaos. (Not to deny we now live in an authoritarian state.)
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
So would I! A few hours ago, I was thinking what I need most is learning to edit my fiction writing more effectively. And here you are!
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Was she having a flashback to the Country Joe McDonald and the Fish song? It’s hard to imagine. youtu.be/pJzIQj8zpeQ?...
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
You also get to work on what you love. Or used to…
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
“[A]nnoys” is doing some heavy lifting in that sentence…
Alvaro M. Bedoya (@bedoyausa.bsky.social) reposted
Dear journalists: The President has not fired Lisa Cook. The President is *trying* to illegally fire her. Your words shape people’s reality. Please be accurate in your reporting.
Hillary Rodham Clinton (@hillaryclinton.bsky.social) reposted
This is how you stand up to bullies and aspiring tyrants.
James Fallows (@jfallows.bsky.social) reposted
If you didn't manage to see this calmly furious and defiant statement by @govpritzker.illinois.gov yesterday, please find 12 minutes to see or hear it today. Best, strongest statement by sr official of where we stand and what is needed now. Civil duty to see it. www.msnbc.com/deadline-whi...
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
🎯
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
👍🙏
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Helpful, thanks. I have only the shallowest grasp of the issues Involved, so this also educated me a bit. Appreciate it.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Safari not covered by this. Why?
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Great piece. Thanks for hewing to the pattern and not the many fire alarms of the day. Appreciate your insights. This regime acts as if democracy is for weak losers and not the American experiment’s core mission. Never perfect (or even good at times), but always the ideal. Until now.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Eddie Glaude is amazing. Surgically precise while others are painting the side of a barn with their “hot takes.”
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
We have a stubborn tendency to turn the page, starting with the aftermath of the Civil War. Can’t think when we’ve really held someone or group accountable for undermining democracy. 160 years of turning the page and acting as if accountability is unspeakably rude.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
This from someone who denigrates this country by word or deed every single day. As a nation, we have a lot to be proud of (lots yet to do), but this regime think we’re just a failed hellhole. Too bad they can’t drop the hate long enough to join the party, relishing what we’ve created together.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
These last months have exposed how shallow DEI commitments were. I’m old enough to have known better. White supremacy is a drug, but many of us refuse to admit we are addicted and refuse help in kicking the habit.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Les Mis: the future that the tech oligarchs and their supporters hold out as desirable. A struggle ignited by a hero.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
That map also set priorities for firefighters so you would have a better chance of surviving a fire.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
A Black woman, of course.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
By socialism, do we mean Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare , school lunch programs, Meals on Wheels, public schools, public libraries, public roads, municipal water systems? Help me out here because I’ve only seen the label as a scare tactic…
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
I don’t think a woman (or a man) of color could have pulled it off here. A white man mocking another white man has a symmetry that works.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
I agree with Avery. I read the book in two days because I couldn’t put it down. But I don’t follow or understand anything about fashion. The book is well written and the rich context made it a mini-history of an era through the lens of one woman’s life. Terrific read.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
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katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
This is what they want, but we don’t have to agree. DC residents are showing up and showing us what more of us will need to do. We can only take back our democracy if we act, each of us as best we can.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Or they are succeeding on getting white people out on the streets protesting.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
I think Kamala Harris said in her interview with Stephen Colbert that what had surprised her the most was the capitulation. I agree. I’ve learned a lot about bedrock institutional (political, corprorate, academic) attitudes this year, none of it good.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
I so need an edit function. My eyes see what my mind wants. In other words, “pantaloon” should be “plantation.” Or maybe pantaloon is more apt?
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
That’s better.. I still want to see the “noir” in there to capture the pantaloon-style racism.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social)
I think it’s fair to say that Newsom is doing this both because he believes in it and because he senses it’s good politics, which means we convinced him it was good politics. Well done, pro-democracy Americans!
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
“Misogynoirocacy?” I can’t pronounce it, but don’t want to lose the racist flank in their scuttle back to southern plantation owner mindsets.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social)
Newsom may not be my top pick, but what he’s saying is urgent and essential to protect what we have left of democracy. Kudos to him for taking action - and to brilliant coms chief, Camille Zapata.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
“I’d like to see a woman be elected President, just not Hilary Clinton. Or Elizabeth Warren. Or Kamala Harris.” There is always a path to “not this candidate” for those who seek it. Meanwhile, our democracy is jn tatters.
Rebecca Solnit (@rebeccasolnit.bsky.social) reposted
The Gestapo violence is horrible--but it's noteworthy that almost every ICE attack that gets recorded includes bystanders at a minimum telling them they're evil, and sometimes being even more engaged. Proud that so many are standing up to the thugs.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
FYI, Costco never sold mifepristone. Media got it wrong. “Our position at this time not to sell mifepristone, WHICH HAS NOT CHANGED, is based on the lack of demand from our members and other patients, who we understand generally have the drug dispensed by their medical providers," Costco said.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
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katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
I admit I’m often a bit smug reading your editing posts. This one, though, snagged me. Upon reflection, I know better than to journey my sojourn, but I’m pretty sure I’ve tried it more than once. Thanks for the reminder and keeping me a humble learner here.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social)
AOC reminding us again that government is the tool we use to care for each other. Government serves the people. The reverse is not democracy.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
👏🎯
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social)
Showing up for one another matters. Well done, DC residents! 👏
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
For me, Bork agreeing to fire the Watergate special prosecutor on Nixon’s order, after the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General both had quit rather than do so, disqualified him from SCOTUS.
Representative Rick Larsen (@repricklarsen.bsky.social) reposted
Some people I represent don't agree with me about the Big Ugly Law - and that's okay. But it's important that when we disagree, we still tell the truth. For most people, the cost of losing Medicaid and food assistance because of the Big Ugly Law will be far higher than the small tax break they get.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
These replies give me hope. That Medhi Hasan published this does not. Pure clickbait. Hasan is a serious guy so why treat the presidency like a joke, more than it already is?
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Thanks for book rec.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
They were better than that, much better. The Warren Court in particular created a long list of what we used to take for granted as constitutional rights. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_...
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Warren and Burger courts, 1953-1986. Not an endorsement of all the opinions during this time, but it was a good run while it lasted.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
“Conservatives” have been (mostly) blocked by Dems until now. Good for your son for reading the book. Perlstein makes history riveting while also being accurate.
TizzyWoman (@tizzywoman.bsky.social) reposted
I’m unable to identify the source of this flip, but, it’s compelling. The #CupOfJoe delivered by the professor is commanding. “You didn’t say anything because you weren’t affected yourself.” Powerful lesson there. We are all affected. Be a part of the solution.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
More like 1840s… 😞
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
When I heard you on Colbert saying things started backfilling under Reagan, I decided I needed to get the book. So much of what Reagan wanted to do is happening now. People didn’t believe him because Dems blocked him, so they thought it was hyperbole. Looking forward to a good read.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
I did as well and am thoroughly enjoying it, which is a feat by Dickinson because my wardrobe is exclusively tees under plaid flannel shirts with knit black pants and hiking shoes. I’m an anti-fashion mascot, but the book is fascinating, well written, and about so much more than clothes. 👏
Bob Kopp (@bobkopp.net) reposted
“A legitimate PhD-level expert in anything,” they said. “Show me a diagram of the US presidents since FDR, with their names and years in office under their photos,” I said.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
“Experts?”
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
First, start with an authentic, empathetic human who’s not addled by too much time spent only with wealthy elites. That will knock out a goodly portion of current electeds, not including my Rep. and one of my Senators, thank goodness.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Good writer, as in compared to a third grade essay or as an AI pizza recipe that uses glue as an ingredient?
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
More like $7,200 a year plus per firm and travel expenses. It’s a part-time job. Not atypical for state legislators. www.texasstandard.org/stories/why-...
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
And the Klamath River runs east to west and dumps into the Pacific Ocean.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
I loathe typing this in 2025: Harris can’t because she’s a woman of color. Her message sinks under the demographics of the messenger. Dems need is a pit bull for the public interest. Newsom and Pritzker are auditioning, but we need (more experienced) Momdani energy at the federal level.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
My view: If Harris speaks up more, she becomes the news, misogynoir media have a field day, and we lose sight of the facist miasma. Current Dem leadership is failing, but lasting change depends on us demanding a government that works for us, not just rich racist white men who don’t trust women.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
I thought I knew about White, but looking him up (thanks to you) learned his maternal great-grandfather was William Henry Harrison (“Old Tippecanoe” who died a month into his presidency, probably a benefit to all).
Malena-PRO-CHOICE 🌊 🟦🟧Fighting Tyranny! (@malena.bsky.social) reposted
Stop scrolling. If you didn't see @maddow.msnbc.com last night, please go find it & watch it. We are living under authoritarianism. We must face that fact & resolve to do everything we can to mobilize everyone we know to oppose this evil. Speak out, Volunteer, Register Voters! If not you, who?
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
Ugh. In historical context, “white” meant many things: Italians weren’t white, Irish were “white negroes” (which just hurts the brain)…pretty much anyone in the latest large group of immigrants wasn’t white at the outset. Some became white, as in the two examples above. White was and is invented.
katekimball.bsky.social (@katekimball.bsky.social) reply parent
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